We won!

Yes, we won the Rainbowbunting Giveaway at Shruti of Artsy Craftsy fame.

Tooth and Nail

Anush lost one of her front teeth today ( her third one overall).

We just kiddingly asked Aditi where could we get her sister a new tooth?
Anush promptly answered ".... at the dentist"
Aditi wanted her to get a red tooth or a black one even!

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Aditi is learning the names of her fingers
The moment you show thumb she says "Thumblina"

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Aditi loves the Goldilocks story and now the Big Pancake.
She narrates the former as though reading aloud, that too out of blank notepads!

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If she hears anyone say " chumma" in Tamil
She rounds it off with "Timepass?"

Ice Rain

Bangalore had hail with rain just now

Very exciting to watch the little ice bits fall.

For CSA

I have no excuses for delaying this contribution to CSA, a wonderful blogger initiative from Kiran, Mons and MM.To use a cliche, better late than never.....

Sometimes never is better than late for certain experiences.

I was not exactly a child, maybe around 16, when I had a brief but very unpleasant encounter.

I was old enough to be aware. But I was too young to not be upset/ to wonder if I had invited trouble.

Like most girls that age, I wore all kinds of clothes  including shorts and slim skirts. But the day the incident happened I was wearing a salwar kameez and crossing the crowded Dadar foot overbridge in Mumbai.

Some rogue tried to feel me up from behind and I just recall using my bony elbow very forcefully to get him off. Fortunately, it worked and I rushed between two ladies who were a little ahead.

I was really shaken. Once I got home, I spoke to my mother.She comforted me, cautioned and shared her experiences.

After the incident, I did not go via Dadar for a while and would do a long walk from the previous station to college. And I never wore that outfit again.

At 16 you are supposed to feel ready to take on the world.
But at no age is one ready to take on such unsavoury encounters.

Also goes to reinforce that as parents, we need to be there for our children.
Even if they seem all grown up and capable.

Mango Moods

Here is a mango made by Anush at camp.

Linking to Tulika's blogathon.

Summer Skating

Anush has been going for skating classes for a month now and enjoys it.

I have been telling her to only compete against herself in all that she does.

She did just that today and completed the race though she was lagging behind after a small fall.

But it is great that the camp gives medals to all the kids and it is participation and completion of the race that is the focus.

The other perk of the park is Aditi gets her fill of slides and see- saws, flowers and watches with great concentration the Kung Fu class that goes on there as well.

Home Bound

Much as I try to be detached about the whole flat selection/ buying process I find myself again coming up with a hundred considerations.

But at least I am trying to be practical.

I want to ensure that I do not feel I am giving a bit of my heart away when it is time to move on or sell again.

An Aam Story

When I was just a little girl
Staying in a house in Vijayawada

I loved to eat mangoes sitting in the back yard
A skinny figure in a white slip frock

My dad and I would compete as to who could finish faster
And who was left with dirtier fingers/ face
And while you may find it hard to believe,
He always won the former and me the latter :-)

There was a little step there which led on to a garden patch
My mom had planted December flowers and  marigolds and even some spinach

One day I just decided to 'plant' the seeds of what I had eaten
I just shoved three seeds at intervals, a bit under the ground and soon forgot about them

Lo behold  after a few weeks, there was not one but three saplings sprouting
And to think they grew into  mini trees by the time we were leaving

My ex neighbours tell me one of them still bears yummy mangoes
Thinking of the little girl and the mango seeds she left behind, a long time ago.....

Linking it up to Tulika's mango stories

Beautiful Country: A Book review

Beautiful Country: Stories from Another India

By Gunjan Veda and Syeda Hameed

 A Harper Collins publication

This was an atypical book for my book shelf. So, I began reading it without any expectations.

The two authors capture their journeys across various states in rural India, from Kerala to Manipur, from Assam to  the Andamans. Since one of them has been involved with the Planning Commission, their views are informed, empathetic and at times depressing even.

It is filled with raw, emotional moments, oscillating between the beauty of our culture, the pathos of planning gone wrong, the small hopes and triumph of the people, the differences in the landscape and progress, stories of innovation and hope and inspiring ordinary people who seem oblivious of the change makers they truly are.

The book brings to the Urban reader a sense of the real India -which they may not have any inclination to acknowledge or may have ignored since it does not seem immediatelyy relevant.  A heavy book, with some disturbing data as well, it is a good introduction to the Other India.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auocr7vk_jA

Sunday Times

Visited Cmani over the weekend and kids spent time with their cousins and grandfolks.

Went to Rajdhani in Indira Nagar for dinner and it was truly value for money if you enjoy veg Gujju food.

Our Velachery flat in Chennai has fallen vacant and need to look for tenants there.
The quest for a flat in Blore is on and any pointers are welcome.

The girls began another round of camp today. Anush is all motivated and Aditi is extremely reluctant. Hopefully they enjoy it.
A cousin-aunt of mine passed away suddenly in Mumbai.  Another reminder to live life to the fullest.

Lumbini in Bangalore

We had been to Lumbini Park on May Day

Less than a kilometre long stretch by the lake maybe= Tonnes of Fun especially for kids under 7-8.

It was more like a side walk with rides and games and a wave/ splash pool and boating on the lake.

For those from Chennai, it was like being on Elliots beach minus the sand and gorgeous sea.... but with a lovely clean lake instead.

The pictures speak for themselves.

Taaza Khabar

Thanks all for your wishes. Felt really nice.

The birthday was spent closing the sale of our second home- yes, the one done up with tonnes of love and featured in the property times etc in Chennai.

Welcomed home by the girls and my folks with my favourite cake- carrot and walnuts.

Time to look for a place of our own in Bangalore.

So this year begins on a bitter sweet note and I am not one of those who dislikes bitter, so all is well.